Dangerous tension in Sudan: clashes broke out in the army

The tension between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (HDK) paramilitary militias in Sudan over the past few months has turned into a hot-button conflict today.

Armed clashes took place between the army and the HDK in the capital, Khartoum, and in its various cities. Shots are heard in the areas where Erkevit, Ciudad Deportiva, Chief of the General Staff and Chairman of the Sovereignty Council and Army Commander General Abdulfettah al Burhan resides in Khartoum.

Heavy machine gun fire began at around 09:30 a.m. local time in various parts of the capital, followed by thick smoke. There is also intense activity around Khartoum International Airport and sounds of conflict can be heard.

WARNING FROM THE TURKISH EMBASSY

In a statement from the Turkish Embassy in Khartoum, citizens were asked to stay at home and not travel unless necessary until the situation calmed down.

HDK Commanding General Muhammed Hamdan Dagalu

HDK announced that army units attacked its headquarters in the capital Khartoum.

DISCUSSION ‘PARALLEL ARMY’

The escalation of tensions in Sudan followed a series of disagreements between the army and the NGO over “military security reform”. The framework signed on December 5, 2022 to resolve the security reform, the management crisis and the military-civilian conflict that has been unfolding since 2021, including the establishment of a single, national army with the full integration of the HDK into the army, and the military leaving commercial and political activities and retiring to the barracks, is one of the most important clauses of the agreement.

While the commander of the Sudanese army, General Abdulfettah al-Burhan, insisted on changing the current HDK structure and joining the army, HDK commander, General Muhammed Hamdan Dagalu, also claims that they are not opposed to integration, but want it to be take place under a completely civilian administration.

The HDK was formed as a militia structure to fight rebels, protect borders and maintain order in Darfur during the old regime period. The HDK, which was affiliated with the Security and Intelligence Organization in 2013, has tens of thousands of members.

The Sudanese army had stated that the mobility of HDK members, acting as a “parallel army” in the capital and some cities, and their positioning in some places increased the risk and threat to security, and that it was a illegal act without the permission of the army. The HDK, on ​​the other hand, denied the accusations and stated that they were working in full coordination and harmony with the army. (AA)